Jeremy Clarkson suspended: Producer Oisin Tymon allegedly punched by Top Gear host after he is late with his dinner

CLARKSON, 54, who has already been told by BBC bosses that he is drinking in the last chance saloon, was suspended following the incident but a petition to overturn the ban has already topped 150,000 signatures.

The incident unfolded after Clarkson apparently lost his temper when Tymon failed to get him dinner on time after filming the show in Newcastle with his co-stars James May and Richard Hammond, our sister paper the Daily Mirror has reported.

Oisin Tymon, 36, is understood to have worked on the car show for ten years.

A source claimed that the alleged assault came after a dispute over catering: “They came to the end of filming after a long day and Jeremy discovered that no food had been laid on.

“He just saw red and hit the assistant producer, who he blamed for not having organised the food. He snapped.”

Clarkson then joined in, tweeting: “No no no. Where Eagles Dare. Much better.”

BBC chiefs confirmed that Sunday’s episode of Top Gear had been cancelled.

The next two episodes, which are the last in the current series, have also been postponed until the investigation into Clarkson’s misdemeanour has concluded.

A BBC statement said: “Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation. No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. We will be making no further comment at this time.”

It comes just days before the Top Gear presenters’ new contracts were due to be finalised.

Clarkson, May and Hammond were all on the verge of clinching three-year deals but now all negotiations have been suspended. Insiders speculated over whether the series could continue without him if he is sacked.

One said: “It may be that the show ends on the BBC but continues in terms of Top Gear Live and the DVDs. Nobody knows what will be decided.”